Basel, Switzerland — Research sponsored by Lonza, Group Ltd, a leading supplier to biotech, pharmaceuticals and specialty ingredients markets, has shown that Carniking L-Carnitine has a positive impact on performance and recovery of working dogs. The study, “Utilization of dietary L-Carnitine for fuel efficiency, as an antioxidant, and for muscle recovery in Labrador Retrievers”, published by theJournal of Nutritional Sciencedemonstrates how Carniking L-Carnitine provides advantageous results towards activity and lean mass during exercise.

Two experimental groups consisting of a total of 96 Labrador Retrievers were given 250 mg of Carniking L-Carnitine once a day for up to 14 weeks. In these dogs, a significant improvement was shown in body composition, improved activity and recovery markers. Additionally, the dogs that were not in the control group were more active during endurance (p=0.0001) and sprint (0.052) runs when they had equal caloric intake.

“The positive results clearly demonstrated that Carniking® L-Carnitine helps recovery after exercise in active dogs and has significant effects on muscle mass,” said Dr. Craig Coon, CEO and co-owner of Four Rivers Kennel LLC. “These effects provide the first evidence of Carniking® L-Carnitine’s specific positive impact on working dogs. This finding is promising as the increase in lean mass, recovery and activity can provide better quality of life and function for working animals and house pets, for example.”

Along with the increase in activity, by the conclusion of the study the dogs involved gained 0.74 kg in total due to a 0.68 kg increase in lean mass on Carniking L-Carnitine, while the control group lost 0.12 kg, 0.41 kg of which was lean mass. The L-Carnitine group also had significantly lower creatine kinsase levels, which are markers of muscle damage and lower plasma myoglobin.

“Carniking® L-Carnitine at relatively low levels had a significant impact on muscle performance and recovery in working dogs, with similar effects in both genders. However, it is interesting to see that they are more pronounced in female dogs,” said Aouatef Bellamine, Ph.D., Sr. Scientific Manager – Nutrition, at Lonza. “This data is promising for senior pets, in particular, where muscle performance continues to be an unmet need.”